WAITING GAME - Sammy Igoe has been told again that he must hang on to see if Reading can offer him a new contract

SAMMY IGOE admits his patience is wearing thin after being told he must wait until ITV Digital's future is settled before he discovers his own.

Manager Alan Pardew has made it clear he wants the diminutive midfielder to stay, but preliminary talks have so far proved fruitless as Reading are waiting to discover how yesterday's collapse of the crisis-hit television company will affect them.

Igoe told me: "My agent spoke to Nigel Howe on Wednesday and apparently I've got to wait to see what happens with the ITV Digital money, which could be a couple of weeks.

"I'm not particularly happy about the situation as I've had to wait all season and now it's another two weeks. Does that mean they will turn around and say another four weeks?

"I have a family and I just want everything sorted out. But I have been given no indication what happens if ITV don't pay up their money.

"Does it mean I will be offered a smaller contract, won't be offered one at all or what? I don't know how I will be affected and it's a stalemate at the moment.

"I've had a go at my agent as I just want to know so I can relax and look forward to the summer."

Although Igoe is still sweating on his future it is expected that the two parties will reach an agreement, possibly over a two-year deal.

Extension

But the former Pompey ace admitted he is looking about for another club in case an extension at Madejski Stadium falls through.

He added: "I have to keep my options open. If they offer me something I'm not happy with then I would have to see what anyone else would offer me.

"I've only got two months left on my contract here so I need something else if it does fall through here at Reading."

Division 1 clubs are the biggest losers over the ITV shambles as each of them is set to lose up to £2.7m.

Not only has that put Igoe's contract talks on hold, but it could hinder any summer buys until the situation has been cleared up.

Reading Chief Executive Nigel Howe told readingfc.co.uk: "At this moment in time, if no money is coming forward then there's no intention of signing any players.

"Let's face it. It is a crisis in football. It's not just something that's passing, there's no money available at the moment. There's a great big £2.7m hole in our financial position. It will have a big knock-on effect."

He added: "Worst-case scenario is that we get no money.

"Best-case scenario is that we get an amount which provides for half of what we were expecting to get. Anything above that is going to be a bonus.

"What we've said here is that we're going to maintain our current squad. Whether we add to it or not will depend on whether we receive any money and that's unlikely."

"I hope that we continue to progress and some sort of TV money becomes available, but it's hard to say at this stage.

"We've got a squad of 24 players and that is still higher than a lot of clubs have.

"It gives cover for two players in every position so, bearing in mind this squad has already cost in excess of £3m, one would hope it should still perhaps be able to show some strength in the First Division."